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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Bendris Noulg" data-source="post: 1313412" data-attributes="member: 6398">The question is, "which archtypes?" The earlier editions heavily stressed archtypes that were, at the time, common in the popular fiction (LotR, Elric, Conan, Thieves' World, etc.). Oriental Adventures was the first look at different archtypes in D&D, although it leaned towards archtypes typically seen in many 70's kung-fu films. Later, Kits in 2E were introduced to encourage defining archtypes specific to the campaign, whether those archtypes were revamped (from literature, movies and myth) or entirely new creations defining an atypical setting. Now, comes the modern model. The no-barriers approach to 3E's mechanical design does three things: Presents the classic archtypes with the Base Classes, permits individualized concepts to be pursued in multiclassing, and allows more campaign-specific roles to be provided via Prestige Classes. To go deeper into the subject, think of Base Classes as the "common" Archtypes; When traveling through Grayhawk, a random encounter with a 20th Level NPC should most likely be a 20th Level Fighter instead of F10/[Prestige Class]10. Why? Because Fighters are a common archtype in the default setting. Going further, we find Multiclassing to provide break-the-mold or man-for-all-seasons characters (both of which, if you think about it, are Archtypes of themselves). Prestige Classes follow up with specific roles, specialized skills, or unique flavor elements (and, ideally, the powers/abilities to fulfill their purpose). Now, we look at Oriental Adventures (the newer one, not the 1E one). In it is explained which classes from the PH are normally found there and which ones are not, as well as provides a few new Base Classes. This short little section basically explains what the common Archtypes of an oriental campaign are (Paladins are not a common Archtype, while Samurai are). It even explains which Archtypes are proper for Rokugan and which are proper for a more "historic" orient (essentially a base guideline for altering the book from Rokugan to Kara-Tur). And we see the same thing in H:RoE (to a lesser extent) and Nyambe (to a major extent), with Base Classes setting the common Archtypes within the setting. So, no, I don't think 3E's a game without Archtypes, but rather a game that doesn't push Archtypes while promoting them at most levels. Adhering to them or ignoring them becomes more of a group decision.</blockquote>

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